Strafe Cham2 Jacket Review

January 25, 2017

GEAR INSTITUTE RATINGS

92

Durability

8

Weatherproofness

9

Bells & Whistles

7

Function

10

Breathability

8

The Good

Stretchy

Light

Great athletic fit

The Bad

Low on bells/whistles

THE VERDICT

The Cham 2 is a simple ski shell is a backcountry skiing masterpiece, but isn’t so delicate you can’t use it for a day-in/day-out resort shell. It’s cut from Neoshell, the ideal ski outerwear fabric (especially for the Rockies).

FULL REVIEW

DurabilityWe love Neoshell for ski jackets. It is the perfect intersection of waterproof/breathable/stretchy/relatively lightweight. For the Cham2 the fabric gives enough so that it can take a licking from schralping by tree branches or the metal edges from shouldering your skis.

WeatherproofnessThe Cham2 has a helmet compatible hood and a hem that’s long without being jibber, wide cuffs that can cinch down over the fattest mittens, and a powder skirt. The fabric makes it as waterproof as any raincoat.

Bells and WhistlesLow on the bells and whistles for the sake of weight (there are only four pockets), the Cham2 nonetheless dials in the details. Zip out the powder skirt to save weight or if you hate them, and the chest pockets can swallow the fattest climbing skins.

FunctionThis jacket is perectly tuned for backcountry use with its durable Neoshell fabric, light weight, huge chest pockets for skins and zip-off powder skirt. The pockets, for example, are higher on the torso, above a pack’s waist-belt. It’s cut just right for freedom of movement, but doesn’t feel baggy. The pre-articulated arms are great.

BreathabilityNeoshell breathes as well as any fabric out there and the Cham2 pit zips are gaping.